The U14 & U12 program is a racing program for 10-13 year olds that continues to focus on building strong alpine fundamentals through drills and directed free skiing, while adding gate tactics and racing to the athletes’ skill development.  Athletes compete in USSS sanctioned slalom and giant slalom races in PARA’s Central Division.  

Participants do not need to have prior racing experience, but must be committed to improving their skiing skills and enjoy being part of a team.

All U14 & U12 participants are required to participate in 75% of the regular weekend practices.  The optional December Holiday Camp and weeknight practices are strongly encouraged but not required. 

Ages:  

  • 10-13 years old 
  • As of December 31st

 Minimum Requirements:

  • All the Development Team requirements, plus:  
    • Must have advanced skiing skills
    • Able to make linked, controlled, and dynamic C-shaped (i.e. small) parallel turns on expert terrain (e.g. Upper Ultra) demonstrating shin contact on the front of the boot, most of the turning motion coming from their feet, and the ability to control speed
    • Must also be able to ski comfortably at speed on all terrain at Liberty Mountain
  • Commitment to participate in 75% of the regular weekend practices  

Required Equipment:

  • Properly sized high-performance (4-buckle) junior boots; the skier must be able to flex them in cold temperatures (and easily at room temps)
  • For U12 athletes: 1 pair of multi-event (‘combi’) race skis are required (or properly sized GS and slalom skis; recreational skis are not sufficient)
  • For U14 athletes: 1 pair each of properly sized GS and slalom skis (minimum length of 130cm for SL skis; minimum turn radius of 17 meters for GS skis)    
  • Slalom pole guards and shin guards are encouraged    
  • A helmet designed for ski racing (the hard shell must cover the ears). For U14 athletes: the helmet must adhere to the FIS RH 2013 certification standard and have the appropriate decal visible while wearing the helmet (i.e. no other stickers or goggle straps covering the decal), and should not have any attachments on the shell (e.g. action camera mounts)
  • Appropriate ski clothing. Speed suits are not required but are encouraged, especially for U14 athletes

 Format:

  • Saturday and Sundays, 8AM-3PM from resort opening (usually the 2nd weekend in December) through the 2nd weekend in March
  • Focuses on free skiing and strong fundamentals, while adding GS and slalom gate tactics and racing to the athletes’ skill development   
  • Methodology includes free skiing drills, directed free skiing as a group, gate drills, AM gate training, video analysis, goal setting, and other group activities   
  • Training time is split roughly equally between gate training on various terrain and conditions, and drills and directed free skiing    
  • Includes weeknight practice and December Holiday Camp and participants are eligible for optional early-season camp. Note: U12 participation in weeknight training is at the discretion of the lead U12 coach
  • Sportsmanship and positive team dynamics are an important part this program

 Participation:        

  • Athletes are required to participate in 75% of the regular weekend practices
  • Weeknight practice is optional but highly encouraged for U14s.  U12s participation in weeknights must have coaches approval
  • Preseason and Holiday Camps are optional but highly encouraged    

Recommended Races:

For U14 athletes:

  • LMRT GS USSS Race     
  • Whitetail GS USSS Race
  • Roundtop SL USSS Race
  • Roundtop dual-SL USSS Race
  • Tussey Mountain SL USSS Race
  • PARA U14/U16 Speed Camp at Blue Mountain - if offered (2nd year U14s; 1st year U14s by coaches' discretion)

For U12 athletes:

  • LMRT GS USSS Race     
  • Whitetail GS USSS Race
  • Roundtop SL USSS Race
  • Roundtop dual-SL USSS Race
  • Tussey Slalom USSS Race